by Linda Warren
Are you coming home early?
That was when his workday ended and his nightlife began.
There were times in the throes of passion he wanted to say the words I love you. But he knew how she felt about the subject and he kept them to himself. He had to wonder, though, how much longer he could do that. He’d told her that he didn’t need her vows of love. He’d lied. Each day they grew closer and he hoped she was beginning to recognize that love wasn’t a bad thing.
He rode into the barn on his horse, Budweiser, and Rico followed him. They’d spent the afternoon looking for a bull that had a knack for breaking fences. As he dismounted, his phone buzzed. He had a text from Maribel.
Can you come home early?
Rico took the reins of Elias’s horse. “Go home. I’ll take care of your horse.”
“Thanks, Rico.”
“That’s what friends are for, and it’s good to see you so happy.”
Elias slapped him on the back. “Thanks, man.”
* * *
He drove steadily home and then went through the back door, unbuttoning his shirt. He stopped for a moment and put on the safety chain. He didn’t want any surprises from the kid or Grandpa. He threw his shirt into the laundry room and hopped out of his boots. In the doorway to the bedroom, he paused. Maribel was sitting on the bed, looking at something in her hand.
“You’re still dressed.”
“It’s not always about sex, Elias.”
“It is to me.” He slipped out of his jeans.
“I wanted to talk about something.”
“Later.” He sat beside her and pulled her blouse over her head.
“Elias...” Her voice trailed away as his lips found her breast. A long time later, they lay on the bed entwined with the hum of their hearts beating together. They took a long, lazy shower and Elias rushed to get dressed.
“I have to pick up the kid in thirty minutes.” He headed for the door and remembered she had wanted to talk. He turned and watched her shimmy into her tight jeans. That was something he never grew tired of. “You wanted to talk?”
She pulled her blouse on over her head. “Yes. But it can wait.”
“No. I have a few minutes.”
She picked up something from the floor that she’d dropped when he’d removed her blouse and then sat on the bed. “Gladys is thinking of selling the diner.”
“Wow. It’s been in her family for a long time.”
“I know. She has two children and neither are interested in taking over. They don’t even live here. Gladys is eighty-two and she wants to travel while she’s still healthy.”
“And this concerns us how?”
She looked straight at him and he could see a stubborn determination vivid in her eyes. “I want to buy it.”
He eased down beside her. “We’re kind of strapped for money since the house remodeling. But...”
She flipped back her long hair. “No, I want to do this on my own.” She opened her hand and he saw a jewelry box. With one easy movement, she flipped the top and he stared at a gorgeous diamond wedding ring set.
“Where did you get those?”
“They’re Miss Vennie’s. She gave them to me and I tried to give them to her son after her death, but he wouldn’t take them. He said I’d earned them for all the love and care I’d given his mother. I completely forgot about them when Chase was in trouble. But when I unpacked my stuff, I found them.”
“They’re beautiful rings.”
She gently touched them. “And expensive. I told Miss Vennie they were too fancy for me and she said to put them away for a rainy day when Chase and I needed something. She said they would be my security for the future. I thought about hocking them for an apartment in Dallas, but I couldn’t do it then. Besides, it would have kept us in Dallas only for a little while and we still would’ve had to move.”
“But you want to hock them now to buy the diner?”
“Yeah. I want something that’s mine. Something I own so that a man can never take away my livelihood again. I felt so helpless back then.”
And yet, she’d held on to the rings. They had some meaning to her and he hated to see her sell them.
“Ah, Maribel.” He put his arm around her. “Keep the rings. We’ll find a way to buy the diner.”
She shook her head. “No. I want to do this. For me and for Miss Vennie. She would want me to.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I talked to Gladys and she wants to do the deal privately with a large down payment and then monthly payments for ten years. She’s offering me a low interest rate. It’s a good deal, Elias, and I can make the diner work even better. I can make the payments easily. I just need the down payment on the note.” She looked at the rings. “And I’m hoping these rings will bring enough for me to do that.”
“What about me and Chase? Are you going to have time for us?” Their life together was perfect to him and he was wondering if her business venture would interfere with that. And he felt a little jealous that she was taking steps away from him. But he could see how important it was to her and he wouldn’t stand in her way.
She poked him in the chest. “I’ll be the owner, silly. I managed a big restaurant in Dallas. I can do this, Elias, and I’d delegate much of the work. I plan to be home a lot.” She scooted back, her eyes sparkling. “The whole diner needs to be updated and painted inside and out. It needs new flooring and new ovens, even a pizza oven. And a big coffeemaker that will make lattes and an ice-cream machine for the kids. There are so many things that would make it a better place to dine.”
Her enthusiasm got to him. “Okay. If it’s what you want to do, I’m behind you all the way. I can do the flooring and the painting and putting in new appliances so you don’t have to pay anyone.”
She kissed his cheek. “You’re so sweet. I don’t know why people can’t see that.”
He laughed out loud and surprised himself. “Let’s not tell anyone.” He stood. “I’ll take the rings to Temple to see what I can get for them.”
“Thank you.”
“I better go before the kid starts calling.” Just then his phone buzzed and Elias looked at it. He showed the text to Maribel.
Grandpa came to practice and we’re on our way home. Don’t worry, Dad. I’m driving.
“Chase has been talking to Bubba about the red Silverado at his place. You know how Bubba is, he’ll tell him to just to take it and try it out.”
“Oh, no. That’s not going to happen. I’ll talk to Bubba.”
“Zane has a truck and Chase wants one, too. I don’t think he can wait till his birthday.”
“He has to. It’s just a few more weeks. He’ll survive.” Elias already had a truck picked out. The kid was getting it on his birthday. That was that.
He pointed to his head. “You see these gray hairs? They’re all labeled Chase. We’re making the barn into his man cave, as he calls it, so he’ll have a place to hang out with his friends. He’s nesting, Maribel, and I think he just might like to stay in Horseshoe for the rest of his life.”
“I wonder sometimes, too. He doesn’t talk as much about football as he used to. But he still loves it. We’ll have to wait and see how the year ends and let him make his own decisions.”
Elias shook his head. “Oh, no. I’ll have some say in his decisions. Sorry, that’s just me. The kid wants to play football and he’s going to give it his best shot. They’ve won every game so far and the future is looking good.”
“Elias...”
“We’ll talk to him after the season is over.”
His phone buzzed again and he read the message and then held it out to Maribel.
Grandpa wants to pick up Mexican food so Mom doesn’t have to cook. Yes or no?
Maribel took his pho
ne and typed in Yes. “I want to go over some figures on my laptop for the diner and this will give me some time.”
“Just remember the lights go out in here at ten o’clock.”
She looked at him, mischief gleaming in her eyes. “Maybe, maybe not.”
He walked out, thinking life was changing at too fast of a pace, but as long as his feisty Maribel was here at the end of the day, tough as nails, Elias could handle it.
* * *
SOME DAYS, MARIBEL had to pinch herself to believe some of the good things that were happening in her life. Elias got the price she wanted for the rings and the sale of the diner went through quickly. She chose colors, flooring and ordered appliances and Elias went to work. She painted the outside a fire-weed red with tan shutters and on the inside one wall was the same color of red. They closed the diner on a Sunday afternoon and all day Monday, and she and Elias worked until it was finished. His brothers came in on Sunday afternoon to help move the heavy appliances and tile the bathrooms. It looked so much cleaner and fresher, especially with the new faucets. She didn’t change the name. It was still The Horseshoe Diner. The booths needed to be re-covered, but that had to wait until she had more money.
The lattes were a big hit and every morning there was a line outside the door. She changed some items on the menu, but not a lot. For now, she was concentrating on making some money. And it was football season and the team was doing well. Tonight was homecoming and Chase was excited about that, and so was Elias.
A lot of people would be coming by the diner after the game. It would be a busy evening. She left the diner at four o’clock hoping to catch Elias before the game. As she opened her car door, she got a text from Elias.
Come home.
It wasn’t the usual kind of text they sent each other. Something was wrong. She hurried through the back door to find Elias pacing in the kitchen.
“What happened?”
“Wyatt won’t let Jody go to the dance with Chase.”
“Why? I thought it was all set up. Zane and Erin and Chase and Jody were going together. Chase has talked about this for over a week.”
“Wyatt found out. Evidently, Wyatt’s wife didn’t tell him Jody was going on a date with an almost eighteen-year-old boy. Jody called Chase crying and said she couldn’t go. He’s in his room, upset. Right before the game.”
“Did you talk to Wyatt?”
Elias drove one fist into his hand. “No. If I go over there, I’ll lose my temper.”
Maribel laid her purse on the table, trying not to get angry, trying to see Wyatt’s point of view. But all she could feel was her son’s angst. He was a good kid and Wyatt knew that.
“I’ll talk to Chase.”
Elias caught her arm. “He’s talking to Jody right now.”
Before she could respond, Chase came into the room, smiling. Maribel’s heart eased.
“After the game, we’re going to meet at the dance. We’re still going together, but I won’t be picking her up. That’s okay. I’ll still be with Jody.”
Elias put his arm around his son’s shoulder. “Son, the sheriff is never going to accept you dating his daughter. He thinks you’re too old for her.”
“He thinks I’m like you, Dad, and that I’ll get her pregnant.”
At their son’s words, Maribel could almost see the weight of the world on Elias’s shoulders—his sins, his past mistakes.
“Everybody makes mistakes. That’s what Grandpa says.” Chase drew back to look at his father. “Do you see me as a mistake?”
“Not for one minute.” Elias hugged his son.
“I don’t want to be a father at eighteen,” Chase said. “But someday I want to be a father just like you.”
Elias hugged his son again and Maribel could see the words were now difficult for him. “Win that football game tonight.”
“We will. And, Dad, can I take your truck?”
Elias handed him the keys.
“You know, Bubba still has that red Silverado.”
“I know.”
“My birthday’s coming up.”
“I know.”
“Good.” Chase smiled. “I don’t want anyone to forget that.”
“How could we?” Elias asked.
Maribel watched Elias with their son and marveled at their relationship in such a short period of time. They had connected and nothing could ever break their bond. There were times like these that she felt pressure in her chest as if something was pushing against the lock she had on her heart. The lock had grown weak, as if it was about to burst open with feelings she’d kept hidden for so long. She couldn’t let that happen. The old fear was still there. They had something good and if she let go she was afraid it would all end.
* * *
FOOTBALL FEVER WAS taking over the town. The team kept winning and the town of Horseshoe was solidly behind them. Elias and Maribel made every game, even the ones out of town. The Rebel family didn’t miss a home game, including his mom and grandpa. In the midst of everything, Chase’s birthday finally arrived. It was on a school day and Elias’s mom arrived early with a birthday cake. She’d insisted on making it and Maribel had let her. The whole Rebel family trickled in to celebrate the morning before Chase even woke up.
He bounced into the kitchen and stopped when he saw everyone and a big smile spread across his face as they all started to sing “Happy Birthday.” They had cake and ice cream for breakfast and Chase opened gifts from the family.
Chase glanced at the clock. “We have to go to school, Zane. Can I take your truck, Dad?”
“No,” Elias replied. “But you can take the one in the driveway.”
Chase leaped to his feet. “You bought me the red Silverado?”
“No.”
“Dad...”
Elias threw him a set of keys. “It may not be what you wanted, but...”
Chase ran for the door, not waiting to hear anything else. He stopped in the driveway as he stared at the new silver Silverado. He looked at Elias. “Is... Is this mine?”
“All yours,” Grandpa answered. “Brand-new. No one’s ever driven it, except Elias drove it home.”
“Oh, man. Oh, man. Oh, man!”
“Aren’t you going to try it out?” Elias asked. His son seemed in shock. Elias had searched and searched for the perfect truck, something he thought his teenage son would like. It had a lot of chrome and four-wheel drive.
Chase turned and hugged Elias. “Thank you!” And he turned to Maribel and hugged her. “I can’t believe y’all bought me a new truck.”
Zane opened the passenger side of the truck. “Are we going to school or not?”
Chase ran to the driver side and jumped in. He backed out and off to school they went. The family all left and Maribel and Elias stood in the driveway as if they couldn’t move.
“I’ve never seen him so happy,” Maribel said.
“Yeah,” Elias agreed. But it was a tiny step Chase was taking away from them. Elias wanted to hold back time just for a little while to have his son at home. Like all fathers, though, he would change with the times and enjoy watching his son grow.
* * *
NOVEMBER WAS BUSIER than ever. The Horseshoe Cowboys kept winning. Elias and Maribel were on the road traveling from town to town to watch Chase play. Right before Thanksgiving, they won the playoffs and now would be playing for the state championship in the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Chase was beside himself with joy and so was the family.
They had Thanksgiving at the ranch with the family. Elias watched as Maribel held Gracie, Rosie and Phoenix’s daughter. She was so gentle and she’d probably been that way with Chase, too. That’s why Chase had such a soft heart. He liked taking care of people, just as he’d taken care of his Nana. And now Grandpa. His boy was extra special and
Elias had forgiven Maribel a long time ago for keeping him a secret.
* * *
DECEMBER ROLLED AROUND. The championship was on Thursday and the whole family was preparing to make the trip to Dallas. For the first time in a long time the ranch would be vacant. They didn’t need to worry about the McCrays as they would be at the game, too. Gunnar’s son, Dutch, was on the team and played defensive. Malachi’s son, Dudley, was on the offensive line with Brandon Polansky. Chase had made friends with them both, but Zane still remained his best friend.
The night before they were to leave for Dallas, Maribel and Elias made love like it was their last time. It couldn’t get much better. Her strawberry blonde hair was all around him and he cupped her face in his hands and said, “I love you, Mari.” He couldn’t hold it in any longer.
She stilled and pulled away from him. “No! Don’t say that.” She slipped from the bed and pulled on one of his old cotton T-shirts. “Why do you have to ruin everything?”
He pushed up against the headboard. “What are you talking about?”
“You said you didn’t need vows of love.”
“I lied. Every day I’m falling more and more in love with you, and if you’d just admit it, you’d realize that you feel the same way.”
She shook her head. “No. Love just destroys everything.”
“It doesn’t, Maribel. Let’s talk about your mother.”
“No. I’m not talking about her.”
“She said she loved you, but when it counted she didn’t. That’s the way you see it, right?”
“When my dad was beating me, she did nothing to help me. Nothing to help my baby. As I was leaving, she had the nerve to say, ‘I love you, baby.’ That’s not love, Elias. I never want to feel that kind of love.”
He looked at the sadness on her face and his stomach clenched as he saw all the hurt she was still wrestling with. He didn’t know how to help her, but he knew she needed help.